This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, August 12,
2005 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You
may also hear this report by calling (218) 847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888.

Hot, dry weather has made the landscape in the north look like fall, and
birding reports are confirming that nesting is about over for this year.
Even a little fall color is showing on a few trees already, and the
prairies are colorful with all the flowers.

>From Lake of the Woods County, Tom Crumpton reported that he saw thirty
SANDHILLCRANES on August 9. This is the first report since the spring
of so many in one spot.

Sherri Norland reported from Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge in
Becker County that shorebird numbers are increasing there. She said
that there were hundreds of shorebirds of fourteen different species in
the Holmstad and Hesby wetlands on August 7.

Thanks to Tom Crumpton and Sherri Norland for their reports. Please
continue to send in reports so that we can all know what species are
moving in or out of the northwest, and where the concentrations of birds
are during the upcoming migration.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than
Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@wiktel.com OR call the Detroit Lakes
Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders
please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took
place. When reporting by email please put "NW Bird Report" in the
subject line of your message. The next scheduled update of this report
is Friday, August 19, 2005.